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Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a significant attack on the British cargo ship Rubymar in the Gulf of Aden.

According to a statement from the group, which pro-Iranian media outlets broadcasted, the vessel was hit with multiple missiles during a “special military operation” on Monday. This assault, they reported, inflicted substantial damage, halting the ship entirely and placing it at imminent risk of sinking. “Due to the large damage the ship has sustained, it is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden,” the Houthis announced, emphasizing that they ensured the safety of the crew as they abandoned the ship.

The incident was confirmed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), noting an attack near Yemen that necessitated the crew’s evacuation. UKMTO disclosed additional assaults on another ship the following day, although it reportedly continued its voyage. The vessel, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Concurrently, the Houthis claimed to have downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, intensifying tensions in the region.

This move by the Houthis follows a series of targeted American strikes over the weekend, as reported by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). These strikes aimed at Houthi-controlled anti-ship capabilities, including an underwater drone, marked a continued escalation in hostilities. CENTCOM’s actions were part of a broader campaign of retaliatory measures against the Houthis.